Furniture Facelift: How to Prep, Paint, and Protect Wood Furniture

FURNITURE FACELIFT HOW TO PREP, PAINT, AND PROTECT PAINT WOOD FURNITURE WAX WHAT YOU NEED DROP CLOTH STRIPPER STRIPPER There are a variety of options; those that claim to have fewer chemicals also take longer to work. POWER SANDER Sanding by hand: 100-200 strokes per minute Power sander: 6000-8000 strokes per minute PUTTY KNIFE SANDPAPER Fine-grit, medium-grit, and sanding blocks CLOTHS PAINTER'S TAPE PRIMER PRIMER PAINT PAINT Oil-based paints are long-lasting and can be used in cooler temperatures, but have a strong odor that may last for weeks. Latex paints dry quickly and don't have a lingering odor. They work best in warm, dry temperatures. Latex paint can swell the grain of wood, so it's best to sand 11 between coats. WAX 10 BRUSHES WAX 11 ROLLERS 12 PASTE WAX Look for a blend of beeswax, carnauba, candelilla, and paraffin to seal and protect furniture. 13 FINE STEEL WOOL PREP REMOV E HARD WARE Unscrew handles, knobs, pulls, and hinges. Seal them in a jar or bag so no parts go missing. PROTECT CLEAN Lay down a drop cloth to protect floors from spills and splatters. Use a damp cloth and/or a wood-safe cleaner on the entire piece of furniture including drawers. STRIPPER BREAK IT DOWN STRIP ROUGH SAND Take a "before" photo to help you remember where everything goes or mark each piece with a number when you remove the drawers and doors. Use paint stripper if the current finish is bubbling or chipping, has many visible layers of paint, or if you plan on staining. Apply the stripper and let it sit for 24 hours (some varieties can be Use a medium-grit sandpaper to remove dirt, residue, and any current finish (if no stripping is necessary). removed after minutes). Use a putty knife or plastic scraper to remove chunks of paint. FINE SAND Use a fine-grit sandpaper or sanding block to lightly smooth. REPAIR CLEAN Fill any holes or cracks with wood filler and a putty knife. Once dry, sand over repair spots with a medium-grit sandpaper. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away dust and particles. PRIMER PRIME Not all pieces need priming, but it's a good idea to prime bare wood to help paint or stain adhere. TAPE Mask off areas you don't want to paint including drawer boxes, cabinet interiors, or hardware that's difficult to remove. PAINT Paint large, flat surfaces first (use a roller for a smoother finish). Work from the top of the piece down to catch any paint drips as you go. 3 Brush or roll with the grain. Avoid overloading the brush with too much paint. 5 Continue onto the edges and trim with a brush. Wait recommended time per paint instructions, then wipe away any drips with a clean, damp cloth. For an even, professional finish, use a fine-grain sandpaper between coats. Make sure to wipe away dust afterward. FINISH WAX WAX REPLACE HARD WARE Use old or new hardware. PROTECT HANDS OFF After the final coat of paint has dried for at least 24 hours, protect it with wax or furniture seal. Dry for at least 10-15 minutes. Buff with a clean cloth or fine steel wool. Do not touch or move the furniture for at least two days to avoid smudges or nicks. If you are not waxing the furniture, let the finish set for a couple weeks. BEFORE AFTER FURNIT URE REHAB SAFETY Wear chemical-resistant gloves, a protective apron, goggles, and a dust mask or ventilator to protect skin and avoid inhaling fumes and loose particles. Put stained cloths outside to dry since oily rags can Check your state's regulations for proper disposal of hazardous materials Work in a well-ventilated area combust while wet including stripper REFINISHING AN OLD PIECE OF FURNIT URE CAN BE BOTH COST EFFECTIV E AND R EWARDING. While the entire process-from prep to finish- requires some time and patience, your new beauty will be well worth it. PAINT PAINT Brought to you by: benjamimoore.com bobvila.com designsponge.com diyonthecheap.com diynetwork.com hgtv.com houselogic.com lowes.com paintbrushcorp.com paintyourfurniture.com sheknows.com FIX thisoldhouse.com uic.edu